Includes Notice to Competitors No.1
ORGANISING AUTHORITY
The event will be organised by Carrickfergus Sailing Club in conjunction with the International Topper Class Association of Ireland.
The notation [NP] in a rule of the notice of race (NoR) means that a boat may not protest another boat for breaking that rule. This changes RRS 60.1(a).
1 RULES
1.1 The event will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 Racing rule(s) Signal AP, 33, 35, 60.1(a), 60.1(b), 62.1(a), 61.3, 62.2, A2, A5.1, A5.2 will be changed. The changes are detailed in this notice of race or the sailing instructions.
2 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions will be available on-line at https://www.carrickfergussc.org/racing/racing-2021/topper-nationals/ and on the Official Notice Board.
3 COMMUNICATION
3.1 The Official Notice Board is located at the ground floor, external facing window under the Club’s Balcony.
3.2 [DP] While racing, except in an emergency, a boat shall not make voice or data transmissions and shall not receive voice or data communications not available to all boats.
4 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
4.1 The event is open to all boats of the International Topper Class using either a 5.3 or 4.2 sail.
4.2 Helms shall be a member of their respective Topper Class Association.
4.3 Eligible boats may enter by completing the entry form and paying via the online system:
https://www.carrickfergussc.org/racing/racing-2021/topper-nationals/
4.4 To be considered an entry in the event, a boat shall complete all registration requirements and pay all fees.
4.5 Boats must enter before midnight on the Tuesday of the week of the event. (Tuesday 17 August). Late entries will be accepted only at the discretion of the Organising Authority
5 FEES
The entry fee is £60.00
6 CREW LIMITATIONS
Does not apply.
7 ADVERTISING
[DP] Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organising authority.
8 QUALIFYING SERIES AND FINAL SERIES
Does not apply.
9 SCHEDULE
9.1 Registration: Thursday 19 Aug 2021 1800 to 2000, Friday 20 Aug 2021 0900 to 1015.
9.2 Briefing – A Briefing will be held at 1030 on Friday 20 Aug 2021.
9.3 Racing:
Date – Race
Friday 20 August – Races 1 to 3
Saturday 21 August – Races 4 to 6
Sunday 22 August – Races 7 to 9
9.4 Nine Races are scheduled.
9.5 The scheduled time of the first warning signal on Friday 20 August is 1155. The scheduled time of the first warning signal on succeeding days is 1055.
9.6 One additional race may be run on the Friday or Saturday at the discretion of the Race Committee.
9.7 No Warning signal will be made after 1500 on the last day of racing.
10 EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
There will be no equipment inspection prior to this event.
11 CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
RRS 40.1 shall apply at all times while afloat.
12 VENUE
The Sailing Area will be in Belfast Lough in the vicinity of the Harbour and Marina.
13 COURSES
The courses to be sailed will be Topper Trapezoid Courses.
14 PENALTY SYSTEM
The Post Race Penalty and the RYA Arbitration Procedures of the RYA Rules Disputes Procedures will be available. See the official notice board for details. Decisions from Arbitration can be referred to the protest committee but cannot be reopened or appealed.
15 SCORING
15.1 One race is required to be completed to constitute a series.
15.2 When fewer than four races have been completed, a boat’s score will be the total of her race scores. This changes RRS A2.
16 SUPPORT PERSON VESSELS
16.1 [DP] Support person vessels shall register with the Organising Authority at registration and if required carry identification flags provided by the Organising Authority.
16.2 [DP] Support person vessels shall have an operating VHF marine radio and maintain a watch on the dedicated working channel in the event they are called by the Event Safety Officer to assist in the case of an emergency.
16.3 [DP] Support teams, including all support persons and support person vessels shall stay 100m outside areas where boats are racing from the time of the preparatory signal for the first start until all boats have finished or retired or the race committee signals a postponement, general recall or abandonment.
16.4 [DP] All persons on a support vessel, shall wear a personal flotation device and while the engine is running the support vessel driver shall use a kill cord.
17 CHARTERED OR LOANED BOATS
Does not apply.
18 BERTHING
[DP] Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the dinghy park.
19 HAUL-OUT RESTRICTIONS
Does not apply
20 DIVING EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC POOL
Does not apply.
21 DATA PROTECTION
The data processing policy is available on the class website.
22 RISK STATEMENT
22.1 Rule 3 of the Racing Rules of Sailing states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue to race is hers alone”
Sailing by its nature is an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that:
(a) They are aware of the inherent element of risk involved in the sport and accept responsibility for the exposure of themselves, their crew and their boat to such inherent risk whilst taking part in the event;
(b) They are responsible for the safety of themselves, their crew, their boat and their other property whether afloat or ashore;
(c) They accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by their own actions or omissions;
(d) Their boat is in good order, equipped to sail in the event and they are fit to participate;
(e) The provision of a race management team, patrol boats and other officials and volunteers by the event organiser does not relieve them of their own responsibilities.
(f) The provision of patrol boat cover is limited to such assistance, particularly in extreme weather conditions as can be practically provided in the circumstances.
(g) It is their responsibility to familiarise themselves with any risks specific to this venue or this event drawn to their attention in any rules or information produced for the venue or event and to attend any safety briefing held for the event.
22.2 [NP] [DP] COVID Statement
By taking part in any of the events covered by this notice of race, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that they are responsible for complying with any regulations in force from time to time in respect of COVID-19 and for complying with the venue/OA/sailing club COVID-19 procedures. Competitors and support persons shall comply with any reasonable request from an event official. Failure to comply may be misconduct. Reasonable actions by event officials to implement COVID-19 guidance, protocols, or legislation, even if they later prove to be unnecessary, are not improper actions or omissions.
23 INSURANCE
Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £3,000,000 Pounds Sterling, €3,000,000 EUR per incident or the equivalent.
24 PRIZES
5.3 m2 Fleet:
Youth (14+ years)
Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Male 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Junior (<14 years)
Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd
4.2 m2 Fleet
Male or Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd
An overall Prize will be presented.
25 FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please contact Rick McCaig, the Event Organiser:
mail: sailing@carrickfergussc.org
END OF NOTICE OF RACE